Showing posts with label volunteering. Show all posts
Showing posts with label volunteering. Show all posts

Thursday, 15 December 2016

Parity for Disability Christmas Collection

I've been so busy lately I forgot to write about this! On Sunday the 3rd of December (almost 2 weeks ago now, wow how time passes fast) I was able to take part in Parity (charity for the local disabled) annual Christmas door-to-door rotary collection. I met with some of the other members outside a pub, and was the youngest there so felt a bit out of place at first, but was very quickly warmly welcomed. They were all so nice and jolly; one wore a Santa costume, one drove the Christmas grotto float that played music, and the rest of us wore bright yellow jackets and held collection buckets.

We walked around town, knocking on doors to try and help raise money for the noble charity. I was shocked, being my first year, how many kind residents were expecting it and eager to give money (some for the 5th year, as an elderly woman told me with a smile on her face!) it was lovely to see the children so excited too, a couple of them even read out their Christmas list to Santa while others ran down the street in their pajamas to hear the Christmas songs and see the lights.

Of course we got a few residents that ignored or slammed the door in our faces, but that's all expected. The good far out-weighed it, it was so encouraging to see so many generous people so happy to give in this loving time of year. It really does humble you. Some even invited me in while they looked for money, so I could be out of the cold!

Overall, knocking on doors to the sound of Christmas songs in the cold evening was quite lovely and I can't wait to participate again at future events. Thank you to the rotary team for letting me join in (and a personal thank you to the man who gave me two jars full of money, how incredibly generous). Please everyone remember to spread the love this Christmas and hep those in need!

See Parity's website here
Get involved here
Donate here

Friday, 21 October 2016

Step by Step Charity Busking at College

Yesterday (Thursday the 20th October 2016) my sister Katriona and I volunteered to busk at our college open day to raise awareness and money for the Step by Step charity to help homeless homeless youth in need of support.

The college raised over £250 for Step by Step and it was a great experience to be apart of. We arrived at 3pm and sang until 5pm, feeling nervous and cold from the rain- but it was totally worth it! Aside from the generous donations, it was especially nice when our principal listened to one of our songs (the one in the video) and complimented us at the end, saying "Thank you for doing this, I really appreciate it, those were some lovely sounds."

My sister and I had only prepared 5 songs; not knowing that we'd be performing for 2 hours. Thank you to our college for giving us the opportunity- we really enjoyed being able to use our musical hobby to help our college and such an important charity, so we will definitely be signing up to volunteer again soon (with more songs and warmer clothing next time!)

Click here to go to Step by Step's charity website, see their twitter post about the fundraising event, and please donate to their JustGiving page to help out.
Busking video: Sweater Weather - The Neighbourhood